Liverpool star Mane has special message for fans

Mane grabbed the headlines with a first-half brace that guided a revived Liverpool past second-placed Tottenham, earning the Merseyside club their first league win of the year after a woeful run of results.

Liverpool's slump coincided with Mane's absence at the African Nations Cup, where he reached the quarter-finals with Senegal before missing the deciding penalty in a shoot-out.

"It was hard because the results were not so good, when we weren't playing or training, I was watching the Liverpool matches and wishing the best for my team-mates", Mane added.

"Of course he is a great player but I think it is more about the team than only Sadio Mane". I discussed it with the coach and I was happy to be out on the pitch. "Yes, we would have been better, but I think we've just levelled off".

But on Saturday evening, he was categorically outplayed by Liverpool's Gini Wijnaldum, who put in his best performance for us since signing from Newcastle in the summer.

"We can't change that but the motivation is there to keep improving and get whatever we can from the rest of the season".

Mane also took the time to thank the Liverpool fans for their support following his AFCON heartbreak with Senegal.

'I want to thank all the supporters for what they have done for me, ' he added.

'It has really lifted me since I came back. Having that support means so much.

Liverpool endured a stuttering start to 2017 as they failed to win a Premier League game, but the Reds got their season back on track when they beat Tottenham at Anfield last weekend.

"We saw this against Spurs, when teams attack Liverpool and give us space in behind, we are probably the best counter-attacking team in the country and we will score goals".

'I know that sometimes it hasn't been easy for them but they are always behind us and always pushing us.